This work reports the cataluminescent characteristics of nanosized Ce_1—xMn_xO₂ (0≤x≤1) samples in the catalytic oxidation of ethanol. It is shown that the intensity of cataluminescence was significantly affected by the reaction temperature and the composition or Ce/Mn ratio of Ce_1—xMn_xO₂. To elucidate mechanism of cataluminescence, the catalytic activity and product selectivity of ethanol oxidation was also studied over the Ce_1—xMn_xO₂ under conditions similar to the cataluminescence study. The results reveal that the intensity of cataluminescence was basically associated with the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethanol to form acetaldehyde. Therefore, the intermediate species of cataluminescence of ethanol oxidation could be elated with the formation of acetaldehyde at the catalyst surface.

Key words: nanosized Ce_1—xMn_xO₂, cataluminescence, catalytic oxidation of ethanol, acetaldehyde, oxidative dehydrogenation